headspace is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. headspace welcomes all
people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Information & support

For young people

Learn about mental health, or if you need support, get in-touch with someone who can help.

What is Depression?

Depression and feeling depressed is more than just sadness; it’s a combination of how we think, feel and behave

Different people will experience depression in different ways. It’s good to deal with depression early before it starts having a bigger impact on your life.

The word ‘depression’ is often used when people are talking about moments when they’re feeling sad or down. It’s normal to feel down from time to time. Many people feel sad after they have gone through stressful or difficult times. This could be a relationship break-up, trouble with friends or family, changing schools or exam times. Lots of people go through this.

There’s no simple answer for why depression happens. For some people, it can be a mix of events or issues that end up affecting how they feel, think and act. But sometimes there’s no clear reason and that’s OK, too.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Depression can be different for everyone, but there are some common signs and symptoms. Many people experience some of these symptoms at different times in their lives. What makes depression different is that the symptoms are serious, they affect a person’s daily life, and they don’t tend to go away easily. These are some ways people may be affected:

Changes to feelings or emotions:

feeling unhappy, numb, empty, moody or irritable/snappy for more than two weeks

less interest in things that used to be enjoyable

feeling worthless or guilty a lot of the time

feeling like everything is becoming ‘too hard’.

Changes to thoughts:

negative thoughts about themselves, the world and the future

having a hard time concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things

having thoughts of self harm

having thoughts of death or suicide.

Physical changes:

feeling tired most of the time

low energy and motivation

having trouble sleeping, experiencing changes in sleeping habits or not feeling rested regardless of the amount of sleep

changes in appetite, loss of interest in food or eating too much − leading to weight loss or gain

aches and pains that can’t be explained.

Behaviour changes:

withdrawing from friends and family

not getting things done

difficulty with school, uni or work

using more alcohol and other drugs

getting into trouble and fights.

“The good news is that people experiencing depression can get better with the right help. If these sorts of things last longer than two weeks most of the time, it’s time to reach out for support.”

Sometimes people with depression experience other mental health problems, too − like anxiety, panic disorder or substance use disorders.

Some young people experiment with alcohol and other drugs to help them feel good in the short term. Unfortunately, when the effects have worn off, alcohol and other drugs can leave them feeling much worse in the long term.

What can I do?

There are lots of things that you can do to improve how you feel and get better at managing tough feelings.

It can feel hard to find the energy or motivation to do these things. Sometimes it might feel like nothing will help. Try starting with one thing you know you can do, then slowly add things in step by step. This can help you feel like you’re making progress.

Take care of yourself

Looking after our minds and bodies can help us with our general mental health and wellbeing. You can:

Notice your thinking patterns

Being aware of our thoughts and feelings is an important step toward improving how we feel. Taking notes on this can help you to figure out which thoughts make you feel better or worse. A journal like this online workbook can help you to understand this more.

Express your thoughts and feelings

It’s a good idea to talk to someone that you trust about your thoughts and feelings. Talking to others can help you feel understood and can also help you see things from a different point of view. You might:

talk to your family or friends, a teacher or coach, your mob or Elders

get support from online communities or resources, or express thoughts to yourself in a personal journal

connect with others and be part of a group, like a sporting club or religious group, to manage feelings of loneliness.

Get into life

Sometimes it can be difficult to think of enjoyable things when you’re feeling low. It might take some extra effort but try to do something that you used to enjoy, even if you don’t feel like it. These activities don’t have to cost money. This can be very helpful in lifting your mood. Try to notice any changes in how you feel before and after these activities, to see those links for yourself.

Learning new skills, like cooking, can also help boost your confidence and help you feel like you’ve achieved something.

Try some relaxation strategies

Relaxation is a way to deal with stress and can help ease heavy emotions. There are lots of websites and apps that can help you with this.

When should I get help?

For some people, using these tips will be enough to manage with their symptoms of depression. But if the depression has been going on for too long without improvement, it’s important to get professional help.

The great news is that most young people experiencing depression can get better with the right support.

Getting help that's right for you

There are mental health professionals at headspace centres and eheadspace (online and phone support) who can help. If you’re at school or uni, you may also be able to access a counselling or student wellbeing service.

An important part of professional support can be talking (psychological) therapy. This can help you learn more about how your depression works and how to change how you feel. Your general practitioner (GP) might also suggest antidepressant medications. The GP or service you reach out to will help to recommend an approach that works for you.

Depression and the link between suicide and self harm

Some young people who experience depression self harm or experience thoughts of suicide. Self harm and thoughts about suicide are often ways of trying to cope with difficult emotions.

If you have thoughts of suicide or self harm it’s really important to talk to someone you trust, such as a family member, friend or teacher.

You can also develop a safety plan yourself to help cope with feelings of distress and suicidal thoughts by using the BeyondNow app.

If you think you might act on any thoughts or plans to harm yourself, you can access crisis support 24/7 from:

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headspace centres across Australia provide face-to-face information, support and services to young people, aged 12 to 25 years, and their families and friends. headspace can help you with information, support and services for anything affecting your healt

Get professional support

If you feel you need help there are a range of ways we can support you.

headspace would like to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First People and Traditional Custodians. We value their cultures, identities, and continuing connection to country, waters, kin and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and are committed to making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, by providing services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.

headspace is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. headspace welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.